Friday, August 17, 2007

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything across Italy, India and Indonesia - Elizabeth Gilbert


I have never truly "reviewed" books before, but I thought it might be fun to give it a try. Airam was kind enough to allow me to experiment on this site. Thus, without further ado... well, maybe a bit more ado...

When I am bored at work (and that does happen more often than I would like) I browse through the online bookstores in search of fun, light, interesting, entertaining books to read. I am a voracious reader, and feeding this habit can be quite challenging.

This spring a book popped onto my radar screen "Eat, Pray, and Love. " The title alone caught my attention.

Thus, I had to read it. And you have to read it too!

I am not sure what I was expecting when I first started the book. Despite reading the reviews, I had no preconceived notions as to what lay between the covers. Thus, I am not going to give you much information here, I don't want to spoil the experience for you.

Gilbert writes of a year long journey that she took in her early thirties. Having suffered through a very bitter divorce and embarked on a journey of self knowledge, she leaves her home in New York and her career to... experience, discover, and grow; to Eat, Pray, and Love.

The book is written with a realistic tone - a mix of comedy and self discovery. I found myself craving such an experience.

First, Gilbert travels to Italy in search of pleasure, then to India to explore prayer and ascetic rigor, and finally to Bali where she attempts to balance her life, past and present; new and old. Along the way she is introduced to various characters that become friends, challenges, teachers, etc. Challenges abound as she attempts to quiet her mind and find answers to her questions - to become content, and forgive. There is something for everyone in this book.

This book takes the reader on a journey that is worth the price of the ticket!

What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and go forth!

7 comments:

Airam said...

Great review!

I read this book and absolutely loved it. What a great way for the author to come out from such a horrible experience as a much stronger person. If only we could all have the opportunity that she did for self-discovery by travelling to 3 very different but equally amazing countries.

armalicious said...

I keep meaning to pick this book up. Airam has raved about it and now your review (which is awesome, by the way!). Ok...next time I'm at B&N, I will purchase it. I swear.

brandy said...

Great review! I (like Arm) keep meaning to get this book but then never actually GET it. Now I think (like Arm) I will definitely go pick it up. Man. I could have just said 'ditto Arm'.

The Exception said...

It is truly worth a read. A friend of mine read it and is already planning her year away after her kids leave the house. They are 11 and 8! It is that good.

Pam said...

Awesome review. I finally read this one a couple months ago after it spent some time staring at me on the shelf. I absolutely loved it! Totally wanted to pack my bags and book a trip once I finished.

Brrrr said...

i've heard so much about this book but always forget about it when i'm at the bookstore. thanks for the reminder!

Jamie said...

I love this book! I'm so happy that you did too! Alot of reviewers don't like it, but eh.